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Greatest players to grace the ASB Classic

This time last week, Karl Budge had no idea that Argentine tennis star Juan Martin del Potro would be playing the 2017 ASB Classic.

The Auckland tournament director only managed to swing a deal with del Potro's manager-father on Saturday, two days before his Davis Cup heroics for Argentina.

Del Potro set up a famous first ever Davis Cup victory for his country by winning a marathon reverse singles match in five sets against Croatian Marin Cilic.

Suddenly, the whole tennis world was again acknowledging the 28-year old, who this year has risen from 1145 in the world in February to number 38, winning Olympic silver and another ATP Tour title in between.

Del Potro's one of five former winners set to play in Auckland in January.

In fact, every winner from del Potro in 2009 through to this year's champion will be trying again at Stanley Street.